Congress 5 - Legislative Process

Question 1

How many bills are introduced in a typical Congress

Answer 1

10,000 - 14,000

Question 2

What % of bills make it to law

Answer 2

2-4 %

Question 3

How many bills passed in 114th Congress

Answer 3

Sent 329 bills to Obama

4th worst out of last 14 Congresses

Question 4

What % of bills were passed into law in 2015-16

Answer 4

2.7%

Question 5

Where do the majority of bills fail

Answer 5

Committee stage

Question 6

Committee has full power of ___________

Answer 6

Amendment

Question 7

What happens after the committee stage

Answer 7

Timetabling

- Agreement between majority and minority leaders on order in which bills will be debated on Senate floor

Question 8

What does the House Rules Committee do

Answer 8

Allows some bills through, holds others back (legislative ‘gatekeeper’)

Question 9

Filibuster example

Answer 9

3 Democrat senators filibustered for 15 hours for tighter gun controls after Orlando shooting

Question 10

How can a filibuster be stopped

Answer 10

Petition of 16 Senators, then voted for by 3/5 of Senate

Question 11

Example of increase in no. of filibusters

Answer 11

91st Congress - 7 Cloture motions

110th Congress - 139 Cloture motions

Question 12

2017 to secure confirmation of Gorsuch to SC, Senate rules changed by Republicans to forbid _____________ of SC nominations

Answer 12

Filibustering

Question 13

Example of fall in use of conference committees

Answer 13

104th Congress: 37 Conference reports adopted

113th Congress: Dropped to just 2

Question 14

What are the President’s options when he receives a bill

Answer 14

1. Sign bill into law
2. Leave bill on desk
3. Regular veto
4. Pocket veto

Question 15

Example of President signing bill into law

Answer 15

Obama signed the Affordable Care Act 2010

Question 16

How many Senators does the President need to win a veto

Answer 16

34

Question 17

Reasons why President’s veto normally passes

Answer 17

1. Only needs 34 supporters in the Senate

2. President studies final votes on bill - will only veto if they’re confident

Question 18

What is a pocket veto

Answer 18

When President doesn’t sign bill in time for end of Congress, bill is lost

Question 19

Example of pocket veto

Answer 19

Clinton in Consumer Bankruptcy Overhaul Bill, Dec 2000

Question 20

Journey of a bill in both Houses:

Answer 20

1. Introduction
2. Committee stage
3. Timetabling
4. Floor debate and vote

• Come together in Conference committee to reconcile differences

Question 21

Name 2 significant laws passed by Congress since 1990

Answer 21

Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (2010)

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Question 22

Obamacare initial bill

Answer 22

House 220-215

Senate 60-39

Question 23

Obamacare final bill

Answer 23

House 219-212

Senate 56-43

Question 24

How many votes were needed to pass Obamacare

Answer 24

7

Question 25

Arguments that the legislative process is effective

Answer 25

• Many bills have been passed by Congress

- Congress has addressed key issues such as Healthcare and the economy

Question 26

Example that many bills get through Congress

Answer 26

Between Jan 2015 - March 2016, Congress passed 139 pieces of legislation

Question 27

Arguments that the legislative process is not effective

Answer 27

1. Too many bills
2. Complicated process
3. Super-majorities needed
4. Both houses possess equal power
5. Often lack of bipartisanship between houses
6. President may well veto